Blended cheeses and methods for making such cheeses

ABSTRACT

Methods for preparing cheese blends of analog cheese and soft or firm/semi-hard, ripened or unripened, cheese are provided. The methods generally involve combining a slurry that contains the basic ingredients for an analog cheese and optionally one or more other ingredients with a mass of heated soft or firm/semi-hard cheese. Slurries that are used in the methods and cheeses produced by the methods are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. No.60/568,022, filed May 3, 2004, and titled “Soft or Firm/Semi-HardRipened or Unripened Blended Cheeses and Methods of Making SuchCheeses”, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated byreference for all purposes.

This application is also related to the following U.S. patentapplications, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety for all purposes:

1. U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/568,029, filed May 3, 2004, entitled“Soft or Firm/Semi-Hard Ripened or Unripended Cheese and Methods ofMaking Such Cheeses,”;

2. U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/568,017, filed May 3, 2004, entitled“Methods for Making Soft or Firm/Semi-Hard Ripened and UnripenedCheese,”;

3. U.S. patent application filed on the same day as the presentapplication, and entitled “Cheese and Methods of Making Such Cheese,”;and

4. U.S. patent application filed on the same day as the presentapplication, and entitled “Methods for Making Soft or Firm/Semi-HardRipened and Unripened Cheese and Cheeses Prepared by Such Methods,”.

BACKGROUND

In recent years there has been a significant increase in demand forcheese generally, as well as for cheeses with specific performance ornutritional characteristics. This general demand is driven in part bythe steady growth in the ready meal or convenience food sector of thefood industry since cheese is an ingredient in many foods within thissector. The increasing popularity of various pizza-type products is onespecific example of cheese-containing products in this sector that havecontributed to the surge in demand. Consumer's health concerns have beena major factor driving the increased demand for cheeses with improvednutritional characteristics, such as those that are lower in fat, differin fatty acid profile, have increased calcium content, and/or are lowerin cholesterol. These concerns, as well as cost considerations, havebeen the impetus for the development of a number of cheese analogs(e.g., imitation cheeses or cheese substitutes) that offer varioushealth advantages (e.g., replacement of animal fat with healthiervegetable oil and increased vitamin or mineral levels) and cost benefits(e.g., vegetable oils are less expensive than certain dairyingredients).

One general class of cheeses that are widely used are the“firm/semi-hard cheeses.” These cheeses generally have percentagemoisture on a fat free basis (MFFB) of about 54% or more, by weight. Forexample, firm/semi-hard cheeses may have a range of MFFB of about 54% toabout 80%, by wt., or about 58% to about 75%, by wt. Examples of cheesesin this class include, for example, Colby, Havarti, Monterey Jack,Gorgonzola, Gouda, Cheshire, and Muenster. Other commonly used cheesesin this class are the “soft” cheeses. Soft cheeses typically have a MFFBof greater than about 60%, by wt. Mozzarella variety cheeses can be inthe soft or firm/semi-hard categories, or in between the two, dependingupon their composition. Standard mozzarella, for example, is designatedas a soft cheese. Part-skim mozzarella is between soft andfirm/semi-hard. Low-moisture mozzarella and low-moisture part-skimmozzarella are both designated as firm/semi-hard cheeses.

Some cheeses in the soft or firm/semi-hard categories are made by aprocess in which a cheese curd is heated and kneaded to improve thestretchability or stringiness of the final cheese, a characteristicdesired by consumers in pizzas and related products. This process andrelated processes are sometimes referred to as a pasta filata process ofmanufacturing. Cheeses made by this process are known under a variety ofnames, including mozzarella, pasta filata, provolone, Mexican style,scamorze, and pizza cheese.

“Analog cheeses” (or cheese analogs) constitute a second major categoryof cheese. As alluded to above, there has been an increased demand foranalog cheese because of cost and health considerations. Analog cheesegenerally refers to a cheese in which milk fat and/or a protein sourcehas been substituted with a source that is not native to milk. Analogcheeses are typically lower cost than other cheese types because theprocessing can be performed less expensively and because certain milkingredients can be substituted with cheaper products (e.g., substitutingvegetable oil for milk fat). The health benefits derive fromsubstitution of the milk fat and protein with other healthiersubstitutes and the ability to add other ingredients that can improvethe nutritional characteristics of the final product.

Cheese analogues are typically categorized as dairy, partial dairy, ornondairy, depending on whether the fat and/or dairy components are fromdairy or vegetable sources. They can also be classified as being animitation cheese or a substitute cheese. Imitation cheese is asubstitute for and resembles another cheese but is nutritionallyinferior to that cheese. A cheese substitute, on the other hand,resembles another cheese but is not nutritionally inferior to thatcheese.

Soft and firm/semi-hard cheeses and analogue cheeses have similar melt,flowability, and texture characteristics. The stretch of analoguecheese, however, is generally inferior to that of soft or firm/semi-hardcheeses. Analog cheeses also have a quick fat release and do not brownlike conventional soft or firm/semi-hard products.

A third general category of cheese, namely blends of soft orfirm/semi-hard cheese and an analog cheese (or simply cheese blends orsoft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeses), have beendeveloped in an attempt to obtain some of the benefits associated withanalog cheese while maintaining the desired stretch and browningcharacteristics of the soft or firm/semi-hard cheeses. Methods forpreparing such blends typically involve blending the raw ingredients foran analog cheese with a soft or firm/semi-hard cheese curd or reworkinga soft or firm/semi-hard cheese. The functional attributes of cheeseblends, however, are generally like those of analogue cheese, withstretchability and browning characteristics that are inferior to thoseof soft or firm/semi-hard cheeses.

There thus remains a need for methods of making soft or firm/semi-hardripened or unripened blended cheeses that result in improved performanceand allow for greater control regarding incorporation of ingredientsinto the cheese so the final product has the desired functionality.

SUMMARY

Methods for making a variety of soft or firm/semi-hard blended cheesesare provided. Cheeses made by such methods and systems for performingthe methods are also disclosed.

Some cheese preparation methods initially involve providing a slurrythat comprises a plurality of analog cheese ingredients and separatelypreparing a heated cheese mass. The slurry is mixed with the cheese massto form an admixture. The resulting admixture is then shaped and cooledto form the cheese. Typically, the plurality of analog cheeseingredients are selected from the group consisting of water, a fat, acasein, a sequestrant, a starch, a salt, an acid, a flavoring agent anda vegetable oil. The methods can also involve one or more slurryprocessing steps such as heating the slurry, subjecting the slurry tohigh shear conditions, homogenizing the slurry and adjusting the watercontent of the slurry before the slurry is mixed with the heated cheesemass.

In some methods, the slurry further comprises one or more additionalingredients selected from the group consisting of a nonfat dry milk, amilk protein, an acidity regulator, an acid, an anticaking agent, anantifoaming agent, a coloring agent, an emulsifier, an enzymepreparation, a flavoring agent, a firming agent, a food protein, agelling agent, a preservative, sequestrants, a stabilizer, a starch, athickener, an oil, a fat, a cheese powder, a salt, a nutritionalsupplement, an acid, an enzyme, a neutraceutical, a carbohydrate, avitamin, and a mineral. Examples may further include procream, wheycream, a dairy solid, and foodstuffs of vegetable, fruit and/or animalsource. The foodstuffs may include fruit, vegetables, nuts, meat, andspices, among other foodstuffs.

Further control over the final product can be achieved in methods inwhich one or more dry ingredients are added to the slurry, the cheesemass, or the admixture, whereby the admixture comprises the slurry, thecheese mass and the one or more dry ingredients.

Certain other cheese manufacturing methods involve combining a heatedanalog cheese slurry with a heated soft or firm/semi-hard cheese mass toform an admixture, with the slurry including a protein source, an oil orfat, water and a sequestrant. The resulting admixture is then shaped andcooled to form the soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blendedcheese. In some instances, the slurry includes a starch, a dairy solid,a gum and/or a cellulose and the concentration of the starch, the dairysolid, the gum and the cellulose in the slurry is sufficient such thatthe soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese that isproduced has one or more of the following characteristics (i) a starchconcentration of at least 0.5 wt %, (ii) a dairy solid concentration ofat least 0.5 wt %, or (iii) a gum or cellulose concentration of at least0.5 wt. %, or at least 0.1 wt. %.

Methods for preparing a heated slurry for use in the preparation of asoft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese are alsodescribed herein. Some of these methods involve blending a plurality ofanalog cheese ingredients together to form a slurry, the plurality ofanalog cheese ingredients selected from the group consisting of aprotein source, an oil or fat, water and a sequestrant. The slurry isthen heated to a temperature of about 90° F. to about 293° F. The slurryis also processed by performing one or more processes selected from thegroup consisting of subjecting the slurry to high shear conditions,homogenizing the slurry and adjusting the water content of the slurry toabout 35-65 wt. %.

A variety of soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheesesare disclosed. Some of these cheeses comprise a protein, an oil or afat, and a sequestrant, and have one or more of the followingcharacteristics (i) a starch concentration of about 0.5-26 wt %, (ii) adairy solid concentration of about 0.5-35 wt %, or (iii) a gum orcellulose concentration of about 0.5-20 wt. %. Some cheeses have two ofthese characteristics and other cheeses have all three.

Slurries for use in the preparation of a soft or firm/semi-hard ripenedor unripened blended cheese are also provided. Certain slurries includea protein source, an oil, and/or a fat, and a sequestrant. They have atemperature of about 90° F. to about 293° F. and have one or more of thefollowing characteristics (i) a starch concentration of about 0.5-35 wt%, (ii) a dairy solid concentration of about 0.5-35 wt %, or (iii) a gumor cellulose concentration of about 0.01-6.0 wt. %.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show in schematic form examples of certain methods thatare disclosed herein to prepare soft or firm/semi-hard cheese.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict different exemplary systems that can be utilized tocarry out some of the cheese processing methods that are disclosedherein.

FIGS. 3A-C show examples of shredded cheeses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Definitions

A “soft or firm/semi-hard cheese” as used herein generally includescheeses that have a percentage moisture on a fat free basis (MFFB) ofabout 54% or more, by weight. The term includes firm/semi-hard cheesesthat have a MFFB, for example, of about 54% to about 80%, by wt., andcheeses with a MFFB, for example, of about 58% to about 75%, by wt. Theterm encompasses a variety of well known cheeses including, but notlimited to, Colby, Havarti, Monterey Jack, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Cheshireand Muenster, which are examples of “firm/semi-hard cheeses.” Alsoincluded in the term are popular “soft cheeses” such as cream cheese,and cottage cheese. Soft cheeses typically have a MFFB of greater thanabout 60%, by wt. A variety of Mozzarella cheeses may also be describedas soft cheeses, and varieties of Mozzarella can be in the soft orfirm/semi-hard category, or in between the two, depending upon theirmoisture content. Standard mozzarella, for example, is a soft cheese,part-skim mozzarella is between soft and firm/semi-hard, andlow-moisture mozzarella and low-moisture part-skim mozzarella are bothdesignated as firm/semi-hard cheeses. The term soft or firm/semi-hard asused herein includes cheeses meeting the CODEX definition of a soft orfirm/semi-hard cheese. The term also includes soft or firm/semi-hardcheeses as defined by other local, regional, national or internationalagencies or organizations.

Cheeses within the “soft or firm/semi-hard” category as defined hereincan be prepared using a variety of methods, including conventionalmethods, as well as by “alternative make” provisions. The term includes,for instance, cheeses made by a process in which a cheese curd is heatedand kneaded to improve the stretchability or stringiness of the finalcheese, provided the cheese falls within the MFFB parameters set above.This process and related processes are sometimes referred to as a pastafilata process of manufacturing. Cheeses made by this process are knownunder a variety of names, including mozzarella, pasta filata, provolone,Mexican style, scamorze, and pizza cheese. Cheeses made by alternativemake procedures are prepared by alternative methods of making cheeses,so long as the procedure produces a cheese having the same physical andchemical properties of the type of cheese made by a specified process(e.g., a process specified by a regulatory agency) and falls within theMFFB parameters set forth above.

The “soft” and “firm/semi-hard” cheeses that are provided includestandard and non-standard cheeses having the foregoing moisturecharacteristics. Standard cheeses are those that satisfy the standardsas set forth by a regulatory body with respect to a particular type ofcheese. A non-standard cheese is one whose composition does not meet thestandard. A soft or firm/semi-hard cheese can also be a processedcheese. A soft or firm/semi-hard cheese can also be ripened orunripened.

“Mozzarella” cheese has a minimum milkfat content of 45% by weight ofthe solids and a moisture content of more than 52% but not more than 60%by weight. “Low-moisture mozzarella” cheeses have a minimum milkfatcontent of 45% be weight of the solids and the moisture content is morethan 45% but not more than 52% by weight. “Part-skim mozzarella” has amoisture content of more than 52% but not more than 60% by weight, and amilk fat content that is less than 45% but not less than 30% calculatedon the solids basis. “Low-moisture part-skim” mozzarella has a moisturecontent of more than 45% but not more than 52% by weight and a milkfatcontent, calculated on the solids basis, of less than 45% but not lessthan 30%. Further details regarding these various mozzarella cheeses isprovided by 21 C.F.R. §1.33.155-133.158.

An “analog cheese” as used herein refers generally to a cheese in whicha milk fat and/or a protein source has been substituted with a sourcethat is not native to milk. The basic ingredients for an analog cheeseare usually water, casein, a fat/oil and a sequestering agent. Cheeseanalogues are typically categorized as dairy, partial dairy, ornondairy, depending on whether the fat and/or dairy components are fromdairy or vegetable sources. They can also be classified as being animitation cheese or a substitute cheese. Imitation cheese is asubstitute for and resembles another cheese but is nutritionallyinferior to that cheese. A cheese substitute, on the other hand,resembles another cheese but is not nutritionally inferior to thatcheese.

“Soft or firm/semi-hard blended cheese” refers to cheeses that generallyare combinations of a soft or firm/semi-hard cheese and an analog cheeseor a cheese that includes the ingredients from these two general classesof cheeses.

The term “cream” means the liquid milk product high in fat separatedfrom milk which may have been adjusted by adding thereto: milk,concentrated milk, dry whole milk, skim milk, concentrated skim milk,nonfat dry milk or other GRAS ingredients. “Whey cream” is the liquidmilk product high in fat separated from whey (cheese, casein, or other),which may have been adjusted by adding thereto: whey, concentrated whey,dry whey, or other GRAS ingredients. “Procream” is the liquid milkproduct high in fat collected as retentate from a whey filtrationprocess such as microfiltration which may have been adjusted by addingthereto: whey, concentrated whey, dry whey, or other GRAS ingredients.

II. Overview

Methods for preparing soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripenedblended cheeses are provided that generally involve forming a heatedslurry or molten mass that includes the basic ingredients for an analogcheese (e.g., water, a protein (e.g., casein) or a protein replacer(e.g., starch), a fat/oil, and a sequestering agent). This analog cheeseslurry is subsequently combined with a heated mass of soft orfirm/semi-hard cheese. The analog cheese slurry can also contain one ormore additional ingredients (in powder or liquid form) that are selectedin accordance with the desired final cheese composition. Once the analogcheese slurry and mass of soft or firm/semi-hard cheese are thoroughlymixed together, the resulting admixture is processed to yield the finalsoft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese product. Thisapproach differs, in part, from the conventional methods for making softor firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeses, which typicallyinvolve simply blending the ingredients for an analog cheese directlywith a cheese curd then heating the admixture to temperatures greaterthan 150° F.

When dairy milk is used as a precursor, the sweet cream fraction of themilk, or a portion thereof, may be separated and replaced by other typesof creams, fats, and/or oils (e.g., vegetable oil), prior to curdforming. For example, the sweet cream may be replaced by whey creamand/or pro-cream (i.e., a mixture of protein and cream) that is includedwith the whey fraction that is separated from the cheese curd. Thereplacement of the dairy sweet cream, or a portion thereof, with thewhey cream, pro-cream, and/or oil (e.g., vegetable oil), reduces wasteby making use of the whey cream and pro-cream, as well as making thehigher value sweet cream available for sale in the marketplace.

The methods that are provided can also be used to introduce variousingredients into the final cheese product that can impact: 1) melt andflowability of the final cheese product, which is a measure of how wellthe cheese melts and flows into a homogenous mass, preferably withlittle or no individual shreds of cheese still detectable; 2) stretch,which is measure of the ability of the cheese to form interconnectedstrings when the heated cheese is pulled; 3) texture, which is a measureof chewiness and smoothness; 4) coloring, which is a measure of theactual color of the melted cheese; 5) blister characteristics, which mayinclude size, color and extent of coverage; and/or 6) nutritionalcomposition.

The use of a slurry in the methods disclosed herein may also providesignificant improvements in yield. A typical cheese process in its basicapproach involves forming acidifying and coagulating milk to form acoagulum that contains cheese curd and whey, removing the whey from thecurd, and then processing the curd into a final cheese product. The wheythat is removed in conventional cheese manufacturing often contains manydissolved or suspended ingredients, which often means that a significantquantity of dissolved substances (e.g., protein, fat, carbohydrate andminerals) are lost when the whey is separated from the curd. If anyingredients are added before the whey is separated from the curd, manyof these ingredients, because they are at least partially soluble in thewhey fraction, are also lost.

As a specific example of the extent of this problem, for each 100 poundsof milk that is used to prepare cheese, it is not uncommon usingconventional cheese manufacturing techniques to only be able to produce10 pounds of cheese. By using some of the slurry-based methods that aredisclosed herein, the yield can be increased in some instances to about15, 18, 20 22, 25 or 50 or more pounds of cheese for each 100 pounds ofmilk. Thus, with some methods, the yield can be increased by 1.5-2 timesor more. The increase in yield is due in part to the use of slurriesthat allow ingredients to be combined with a heated mass of cheese curd,a process in which essentially all the ingredients in the slurry areretained. This is in contrast to methods in which ingredients are addedto milk in which case a significant proportion of added ingredients arelost.

One approach is to add the non-fat dry milk to the milk that is used toprepare the cheese. If added at this stage, it is not uncommon for about75% of the non-fat dry milk to be lost, including proteins, lactose andminerals in the non-fat dry milk. If the non-fat dry milk is insteadincorporated into some of the slurries that are provided and theresulting slurry mixed with, for instance, into a heated mass of soft orfirm/semi-hard cheese as described herein, much, if not essentially all,of the non-fat dry milk may be incorporated into the final cheeseproduct.

In some methods, the slurry is processed so it is in a form that confersuseful properties on the final cheese product and/or facilitatespreparation of the cheese. Some methods, for instance, utilize a heatedslurry that may also have been sheared and/or homogenized. Suchprocessing can influence the performance of the final cheese product invarious ways. For example, this processing can be used to achieve higherconcentrations of certain ingredients in the final cheese product ascompared to traditional approaches. Without intending to be bound bytheory, it is believed that the shearing and homogenization process canreduce particle size of the components of some cheese ingredients. Theseresulting particles because of their reduced size are thus better ableto be incorporated into the overall cheese matrix, thereby allowing moreingredient to be introduced into the final cheese product.

The reduced particle size also makes it easier to remove excess waterduring the manufacturing process to the level desired in latermanufacturing stages. The ability to control water content is animportant factor in being able to regulate the stability of cheese andthus its shelf life. Reduced particle size also facilitates forming acompact cheese that can be easily processed (e.g., shredded, sliced, ordiced). Shearing and homogenization can also be important in reducingthe viscosity of the slurry, which aids in various processing steps(e.g., transport of the slurry).

Use of a slurry that has been heated, sheared and/or homogenized duringthe manufacturing process also is useful in activating, exposing thefunctionality and/or in hydrating the ingredients, such that theingredient has different properties than the corresponding unheatedingredients. As a specific example, it can be difficult to incorporatenon-fat dry milk into a cheese as a dry powder in certain cheesemanufacturing methods because the non-fat dry milk never becomes fullyhydrated. This makes the non-fat dry milk susceptible to burning whencooked, for example. By using certain of the slurry-based methodsdisclosed herein, ingredients such as non-fat dry milk can be betterhydrated, thus mitigating against the burning problem. The hydration ofother ingredients can have other beneficial results.

Some methods also involve a process in which the water content of theslurry is adjusted. This is useful because the water content in a cheeseis an important factor in stability, shelf life and the ability toslice, shred and dice the final cheese product.

In sum, the use of slurries to introduce ingredients into cheeses atcertain stages of the manufacturing process can be used to help tailorthe performance and nutritional characteristics of the final cheeseproduct.

III. Methods for Preparing Soft or Firm/Semi-Hard Ripened or UnripenedBlended Cheeses

A. General

FIG. 1A shows in schematic form manufacturing process 100, which is oneexample of a general approach for manufacturing a soft or firm/semi-hardripened or unripened blended cheese. Method 100 generally involves: 1)providing 105 a analog cheese slurry that includes the basic ingredientsfor making analog cheese and optionally other ingredients; 2) separatelyproviding 150 a heated soft or firm/semi-hard cheese mass (heated cheesemass); 3) adding ingredients 170 to the slurry, heated cheese mass or acombination thereof; 4) mixing 175 the heated slurry with the heatedcheese mass to form an admixture; and 5) processing 180 the admixture toform the soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeseproduct.

The slurry is typically heated, but this is not mandatory. The additionof the ingredients to the slurry is also optional and some methods donot include this step. If performed, however, the ingredients that areadded are, at least in some instances, ones that are heat sensitive andthus ones that cannot tolerate the heat to which the slurry may beheated.

1. Preparation of Analog Cheese Slurry and Pre-Mixing Process

In some methods, the process of providing the slurry/molten analogcheese mass comprises several aspects. Some methods, for example,initially involve blending a plurality of analog cheese ingredients andoptionally other additional ingredients together to form the slurry. Theresulting slurry is then subjected to a pre-mixing process to adjust theslurry to a form that will integrate well with the heated cheese masswith which the slurry is mixed. The pre-mixing process typicallyincludes cooking the slurry, usually to about 90-293° F. (32-145° C.) or100-250° F. (38-121° C.). But, as just noted, this is not required insome applications. This pre-mixing processing also optionally includesone, two or all of the following processes: (1) subjecting the slurry tohigh shear conditions, (2) homogenizing the slurry (e.g., thoroughlymixing the ingredients and the water of the slurry together), and/or (3)adjusting the water content of the slurry, usually to about 35-65 wt. %,or 45-60 wt. %.

Different methods can incorporate different combinations of two or allthree of the foregoing optional processes. So, for example, in somemethods, the pre-mixing processing involves (1) and (2) but not (3).Other processes include (1) and (3) but not (2). Still other pre-mixingprocesses include (2) and (3) but not (1). And still other processesinclude (1), (2) and (3). The other remaining combinations can also beutilized depending upon the particular requirements of an application.In some instances, it is sufficient to simply shear the slurry withouthomogenizing it. But the pre-mixing process may involve both, in whichcase the slurry is first typically sheared and then homogenized,although the order can be reversed.

In some methods, some of the pre-mixing processes are optionally carriedout at the same time (e.g., subjecting the slurry to high shearconditions while homogenizing the slurry; or heating the slurry whilesubjecting it to high shear conditions and/or homogenizing the slurry).Cooking can optionally be performed during the shearing and/orhomogenizing. In general, however, the pre-mixing processing stepsconclude by adjusting the water content of the slurry which, ifperformed, is the last of the pre-mixing processing steps.

Some ingredients need to be subjected to high shear conditions to becomefunctional (e.g., hydrated). High shear conditions as used hereingenerally refers to conditions in which 10,000 to 500,000 s⁻¹ of shearis applied. In some methods, the slurry is typically sheared by ahigh-shear mixer or colloid mill, at a temperature of about 90 to 293°F. (32 to 145° C.) for about 0.01 to 0.5 seconds.

Homogenization of the slurry, if performed, generally involves theprocess of reducing the particle size of fluid products under conditionsof extreme pressure, shear, turbulence, acceleration and impact, to makethem more stable and have a better texture. The effect is achieved byforcing the product through a special homogenizing valve at a very highpressure. Homogenization can be done in one or multiple steps. For mostmethods, two steps are sufficient. It is common that the mainhomogenization takes place in the first homogenization valve and a mildhomogenization in the second valve. The second homogenization valve willenhance the product quality. It will break down the newly formed fatglobule clusters formed directly after the first valve. Homogenizationis usually conducted at a temperature of about 90-293° F. (32-145° C.)or 100-250° F. (38-121° C.) for about 0.001-0.50 seconds.

As indicated above, if the water content of the slurry is adjusted, themoisture content is generally adjusted to about 35-65 wt. %, and in someinstances from about 37-60 wt. %. After such processing, the slurry thatis mixed with the heated cheese mass, generally has a temperature ofabout 100-170° F. (37-77° C.), or about 120-160° F. (49-71° C.). It alsogenerally has a viscosity of 1000 to greater than 1,000,000 centipoisein this temperature range.

2. Preparation of Heated Cheese Mass

Various processes can also be used to prepare the heated soft orfirm/semi-hard cheese mass. One approach, however, is to form a cheesecurd and then heat and knead it in a cooker/mixer to form the desiredheated cheese mass. The heating and kneading process is generally doneat a temperature of about 120-155° F. (48-69° C.) for a time of about1-15 min. This process can be conducted using (direct/indirect) steamheating or by other approaches. Typically, the resulting mass has atemperature from about 120-150° F. (48-66° C.). The heating and kneadingprocess can be conducted simultaneously or separately.

The cheese curd that is introduced into mixer/cooker can be prepared,for example, from pasteurized cow's milk, buffalo milk, goat's milk orother milk source (e.g., concentrated milk, reconstituted milk or milkprotein powders). The milk is acidified to form cheese milk. Theacidification step can be performed either microbially, directly, or acombination of microbial and direct acidification. Microbialacidification is accomplished by the addition of a starter culture ofone or more lactic acid-producing bacteria to the milk, and thenallowing the bacteria to grow and multiply. When making a mozzarellavariety cheese, a bacterial starter culture composed of coccus, rods, ora combination of both is preferably used. In some methods ofacidification, an acid added as a processing aid, such as acetic acid(e.g., vinegar), phosphoric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, hydrochloricacid, sulfuric acid, or glucono-delta lactone (GdL), lactobionic acid,etc., is added to standardize pH and is followed by addition ofmicrobial starter to complete the acidification process.

Following acidification, the cheese milk is coagulated to form acoagulum that consists of cheese curd and whey. Rennet (Microbial orCalf) or another suitable enzyme is typically added to the milk toenhance the coagulation activity. The resulting coagulum is cut and thewhey drained off to obtain the cheese curd. The curd can optionally bescalded (cooked) for about 0.08 to 1.0 hours at about 86-120° F. (30-49°C.), at which point the curd is ready to undergo the heating andkneading operation.

In some methods, ingredients can also be incorporated into the curd orduring the curd preparation. Thus, these ingredients can be mixed intocurd ingredients or mixtures thereof, into the coagulum or into the curditself, for example.

The heating and kneading process is generally conducted under low shearconditions. Heating can be conducted, for example, in a kneadingmixer/extruder via 1) immersion in hot water or brine, 2) direct steaminjection, 3) indirect heating via an indirect heat exchange, and/or 4)microwave heating. The steam injection option generally involvesreleasing live steam into the kneading and stretching chamber. When livesteam is used to heat the curd, the steam condensate is absorbed by thecurd and forms part of the final mass of cheese. When using live steamin the mixer/cooker, typically the water content of the curd immediatelyprior to entering the mixer/cooker is about 45 to 65 wt.%, andsufficient steam is released into the kneading and stretching chambersuch that the water content of the mass of cheese immediately afterexiting the machine is up to about 5 percentage points higher, e.g.,about 0.5 to 10 points higher. Often, it will be about 2.5 to 8.5 pointshigher. So, for example, if the water content of the curd entering themachine is 45 wt.%, then usually the amount of injected steam that isused to bring the curd up to the necessary temperature to obtain ahomogenous, fibrous mass of cheese will be an amount that raises thewater content to no more than about 50 wt.%. Indirect heating can beaccomplished, for example, by conduction, through the wall of thekneading and stretching chamber, e.g., by use of a hot water jacket.

Heating and kneading can be performed in the absence of any exogenouswater. By “exogenous water” is meant water that is used to bathe thecurd and which is subsequently separated from the homogenous cheese massthat is formed. A shortcoming of the use of exogenous water during theheating and kneading process is that, when the water is separated,valuable protein, fat, and other solids that otherwise would be bound upin the finished cheese are removed.

Kneading is often accomplished by working the heated cheese curd withpressure via single or dual helical intermeshing screws. The whole ofthe heating and kneading step is sometimes referred to as aplasticization or pasta filata process, which refers to the heating ofcurd to around 120-155° F. (48-69° C.) and kneading the hot curd.Successful plasticization of the curd requires that the viscoelasticparacasein matrix undergoes limited flow and stretches without breaking.Plasticization is believed to be accompanied by changes at amicrostructure level within the curd, including partial aggregation andtightening of the paracasein gel matrix followed by formation of linearparacasein fibers with high tensile strength. The cheese fat coalescesinto elongated pools entrapped between paracasein fibers showing theirsame orientation. This process aids in obtaining the properfunctionality in the final product.

The heating and kneading process described herein ensure complete mixingof the heated curd. This is important because incomplete mixing resultsin the separation of fat and water and the loss of these ingredients andother ingredients such as fat, lactose and minerals.

3. Optional Addition of Ingredients

Ingredients of a variety of types can optionally be added, for example,to the heated cheese mass, the heated analog cheese slurry, or theadmixture formed after the heated slurry and heated cheese mass aremixed together. These ingredients are often added in a dry form (e.g.,as a powder), but in some instances can be added in liquid form.Powdered solids can be added using any of a number of conventionalapproaches, including sprinkling the solids onto the cheese, usuallyacross the entire surface of the cheese and typically after applicationof agents or ingredients in liquid form, if any. Liquid agents oringredients can be sprayed down onto the surface of the cheese, usuallyin a spray that covers substantially the entire surface of the cheese.Ingredients can be mixed together at once or blended in several stepsbefore being added.

4. Mixing of Slurry and Cheese Mass

The heated slurry, the heated cheese mass and any optional ingredientsare combined in a mixer to form an admixture. Typically, the mixing isperformed at a temperature of about 120 to about 170° F. (49-77° C.).The temperature in some applications is relatively high, such as between150-170° F. (66-77° C.). In other methods, the temperature is at orslightly below that of pasteurization (65° C., 150° F.), for example inthe range of about 120-150° F. (49-65° C.). Mixing is usually conductedfor about 2-15 or 5-10 minutes is generally performed under low shearconditions. The slurry and heated cheese mass are typically combined ina ratio of about 95:5 to about 5:95.

5. Final Processing

Final processing of the slurry generally involves shaping and coolingthe slurry to form a desired final product. In general, the slurrycontaining the heated and/or soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripenedblended cheese curd can be formed into any desired shape depending uponthe ultimate intended use. General options include, but are not limitedto, 1) forming relatively large pieces of cheese which are packaged; 2)comminuting the cheese into smaller pieces that are packaged withoutfreezing but instead refrigerated; 3) comminuting, packaging andfreezing the cheese, and 4) comminuting, freezing, then packaging thecheese.

In some methods, for instance, the slurry is extruded as a continuousdimensionally flat Ribbon™, which is discharged into a cold sodiumchloride brine channel or tank, for example as described in U.S. Pat.No. 4,339,468 to Kielsmeier or U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,216 to Barz et al.(both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety).The cheese Ribbon™ is sometimes contacted with cold sodium chloridebrine (in one or more tanks or vessels) until its core temperature dropsto about 75° F. (24° C.) or below. Then the cooled Ribbon™ can be cutinto segments having dimensions suitable for the intended use of thecheese.

Other options include: 1) floating the cheese in a coolant; 2) placingthe cheese on a perforated belt and spraying coolant on the cheesesurface; 3) placing the cheese on a solid belt and spraying coolant onthe underside of the belt; 4) transfer through a cooling chamber; and 5)refrigeration of the heated cheese.

If a string cheese is the desired product [e.g., a cheese having adiameter of about ⅛ to 1.0 inch (0.32 to 2.54 cm.)], the segments of thestring are generally about 1½ to 12 inches (4 to 30.5 cm) long. If thestring cheese is to be baked only while enclosed in pizza crust (e.g.,in a stuffed crust pizza), it typically is unnecessary to age the cheesebefore using it. If desired, the string cheese can be frozen and stored.

The warm cheese can also be molded/extruded into blocks of any of avariety of sizes that are convenient. Some blocks, for example, areabout 4 inches high, 4-8 inches wide, and 4-24 inches long.

If the finished cheese is to be used as an exposed topping for a pizza,then the continuous dimensionally flat Ribbon™, typically is rectangularin cross section, and can be cut into loaves, for example having a widthof about 4 to 36 inches (10 to 92 cm.), a height of about 1/16 to 4inches (0.15 to 10 cm.), and a length of about 4 to 36 inches (10 to 92cm.). The loaves can then be further cooled in sodium chloride brine,for example to a core temperature in the range of about 26 to 75° F.(−3.3-24° C.), and then removed from the brine and comminuted, and thepieces individually quick frozen, for example by the process describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,470 to Kielsmeier, et al., which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Depending on the composition of the cheese, it may be preferable tostore it for a time [e.g., about 7 to 21 days, at about 35 to 45° F. (2to 7° C.)] after it is removed from the last brine tank and before it iscomminuted and frozen. However, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,216(Barz et al.), if the process is controlled such that the cooled cheeseremoved from the brine has a moisture content of about 45 to 60 wt. %, amilk fat content of at least about 30 wt. % (dried solids basis), and acombined moisture and wet milk fat content of at least about 70 wt. %,the cheese can be frozen immediately and will still performsatisfactorily when baked on a pizza, under a variety of conditions.

The final processing procedure can also be as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,902,625, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety forall purposes.

The methods described herein can be conducted in a batch format orcontinuously. Batch methods, for example, involve providing batches ofslurry and the heated soft or firm/semi-hard cheese mass that aresubsequently combined in batches. The resulting mixtures aresubsequently processed to obtain the desired final cheese product. Theprocess is then repeated.

In continuous methods, at least the slurry preparation process and theprocess in which the slurry is combined with the cheese mass isconducted in a continuous process. In some methods, essentially each ofthe steps listed above are conducted continuously such that slurrypreparation, preparation of the heated mass of soft or firm/semi-hardcheese, combining of the slurry and cheese mass, optional addition ofingredients, and final processing steps are all continuously ongoing.

B. Exemplary Method

FIG. 1B illustrates one example of how the heated analog cheese slurryand heated soft or semi-soft cheese mass can be combined to form anadmixture that can subsequently be processed to yield a final soft orfirm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese product. In thisparticular method 102, the slurry preparation process 105 initiallyinvolves blending 110 a plurality of analog cheese ingredients and otheroptional additional ingredients together to form an initial slurry. Thepre-mixing process 107 involves cooking/heating 115 the resulting slurryto about 90-293° F. This heated slurry is subsequently subjected 120 tohigh shear conditions and then homogenized 125. Thereafter, the watercontent of the heated slurry is adjusted 130 to 35-65 wt. %. The slurryis transferred to the combining and mixing state 170 through the use ofa pump at the discharge of a surge hopper, which maintains the slurry ata constant volume 131. As the slurry is transferred, it may be filtered132 to remove any large particles formed in the slurry during thecooking/heating step 115 (or other extraneous materials), and alsoexposed to a magnetic field 133 to remove any metal fragments in theslurry generated by metal to metal contact of the moving parts of theprocess equipment.

As further shown in FIG. 1B, the process of providing 150 a heatedcheese mass in this particular method includes several aspects. Theprocess is initiated by forming 155 a cheese curd. Once formed, thecheese curd may be heated and kneaded 165 to form the heated cheesemass. During the heating process, the curd is typically heated to thetemperature listed above. If desired, ingredients can be added to thecurd or at any stage during preparation of the curd (e.g., initialingredients, mixtures of ingredients and coagulum).

This particular method includes a process of adding 170 one or moreoptional ingredients to the slurry, the heated cheese mass or thecombined slurry and cheese mass. But as noted above, this is an optionalprocess and not all methods include this process. The slurry, heatedcheese mass and ingredients are then thoroughly mixed 175 together toform an admixture. The admixture that is formed is subsequentlyprocessed 180 to form the final soft or firm/semi hard cheese product.In the particular method depicted in FIG. 1B, final processing 180involves shaping 185 the admixture into a desired form and cooling 190the shaped cheese to form the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened orunripened blended cheese product. Although FIG. 1B shows the finalprocessing step to first involve the shaping process followed by thecooling process, this order can be reversed or performed simultaneously.

The final processing 180 of each of the exemplary methods shown in FIGS.1A and 1B can involve any of the processing options described above orgenerally known in the art. So, for example, in some methods finalprocessing involves individually quick freezing pieces of the cheese asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,410. Other methods involve a same daydice procedure such as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,200,216. In still other methods, the cheese is not comminuted butformed into blocks that are directly packaged and refrigerated. Those ofskill will recognize that a variety of other processing options areavailable.

IV. Slurry Ingredients and Non-Slurry Ingredients

In general, the ingredients incorporated into the slurry typicallyinclude the basic ingredients for forming an analog cheese andoptionally other additional ingredients selected to impart a desiredcharacteristic on the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripenedblended cheese product. These various types of ingredients are discussedin greater detail below.

A. Basic Analog Cheese Ingredients

The analog cheese ingredients most commonly included in the blendingprocess are water, a protein (e.g., casein) or a protein replacer (e.g.,starch), a fat/oil and a sequestering agent. All of these ingredients,however, are not required. A processing aid is sometimes included, too.These analog cheese ingredients are described more fully below.

Protein (e.g., casein). Casein is a phosphoprotein by-product of thedairy industry and can be isolated by several methods, but is typicallyprepared from skim milk. The physical properties and chemicalcomposition of the casein obtained depend upon the source of the milk,its quality and the isolation procedure.

Different forms of casein can be utilized in the methods describedherein, but in general typically are tasteless, odorless, andnoncrystalline. Suitable caseins include, for example, but are notlimited to, acid caseins, rennin caseins, neutral caseins and sodium andcalcium caseinates. There are several principal methods for producingcasein from milk. One method involves the acid precipitation of caseinat its isoelectric point, which is about pH 4.6, to form acid casein.Examples of acid caseins include lactic acid casein, hydrochloric acidcasein and sulfuric acid casein. Another approach involves enzymaticcoagulation using rennin or another suitable enzyme; this approachyields rennin casein. Methods for forming neutral caseins are discussedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,298. Sodium caseinates can be formed byconverting the casein from its calcium form to a sodium caseinate bytreating the milk with sodium citrate, for example.

The amount of casein incorporated into the slurry generally ranges fromabout 5-65 wt. %. In some instances, its concentration ranges from about10-65, or from about 10-40 wt. %. This results in a casein concentrationin the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeseof about 5-65 wt. %, or about 10-40 wt. %.

Protein Replacers. Various ingredients can be used to substitute fullyor partially for added protein. Starches are one example. The types andamount of starch that can be included in the slurry and the final cheeseproduct is described below.

Water. The water is added into the slurry in an amount that issufficient to ensure that the other ingredients are adequately hydrated.Water typically accounts for about 35-65, or about 45-60 wt. % of theslurry. The moisture content in the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripenedor unripened blended cheese product is generally about 35-60, or about45-60 wt. %.

Oil/Fat. The oil/fat component may be of any edible type. The preferredkind of oil/fat is one with a bland flavor that has physicalcharacteristics (such as solid fat index) similar to that of butterfat.A fat utilized in the slurry can be any relatively low melting pointvegetable or animal fat, but preferably is a liquid at a temperature ofless than 130° F. (melting point of less than 130° F.). In someinstances, the melting point is between 20-130° F., e.g., between40-125° F., or between 50-120° F. Vegetable fats such as those derivedfrom coconuts, soybeans, safflower, corn and cotton are sometimespreferred because they are not as difficult to preserve such as someanimal fats (e.g., butterfat). Suitable oils/fat include, but are notlimited to, safflower seed oil, corn oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, oliveoil, palm oil, flax seed oil, fish oil, walnut oil, and mixtures of oneor more of these oils. Additional examples of suitable oils include, butare not limited to, vegetable oils, linoleic acid, omega 3 fatty acids,and medium chain triglycerides, among others. Such oils may behydrogenated or partially hydrogenated.

The amount of oil/fat included in the slurry can vary, but generallyranges from about 0-40 wt. %, or from about 5-35 wt. %. The amount ofoil/fat in the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blendedcheese product thus generally ranges from about 0-38 wt. % or from about5-36 wt. %.

Sequestrants. A number of different sequestrants can be included to keepthe various ingredients in solution. As used herein, the termsequestrants is intended to include, but not be limited to, the chemicalagents sometimes referred to as chelating agents. If a sequestrant isused, it generally is one that sequesters calcium ions in the cheese(i.e., it reduces the degree to which the calcium is ionically bound tothe protein in the cheese).

Calcium-binding sequestrants are sometimes used, particularly phosphatesand citrates, with the sodium and sodium aluminum salts being the onesmost typically used. Examples of suitable phosphates are sodiumhexametaphosphate (SHMP), monosodium phosphate (MSP), sodiumtripolyphosphate (STPP), and disodium phosphate (DSP), sodium aluminumphosphate, disodium phosphateDSP. DSP is generally available in itshydrated form, disodium phosphate dihydrate. Sodium citrate is commonlyused and is available in solid form as sodium citrate dihydrate.

Sequestrants, if included, typically are added such that theconcentration in the slurry ranges from about 0.1-4 wt. %, such as0.25-3 wt. % or 0.4-2.5 wt. %. The concentration in the slurry, however,is controlled so the concentration in the final cheese product isgenerally within the range of about 0.001-3.8%, based on the weight ofthe finished cheese. Often, about 0.1-3.0% of the sequestrant will beused, or an amount within the range of about 0.25-2.0%.

B. Additional Ingredients

A number of different types of generally recognized as safe (GRAS)ingredients can be introduced during the methods to tailor thenutritional or performance characteristics of the final cheese product.These ingredients can be added at a number of different points along themanufacturing process, including: 1) during blending of the analogcheese ingredients (e.g., at step 110 of the method shown in FIG. 1B);2) to the cheese curd or the processing of making the cheese curd priorto heating it (e.g., during step 155 of FIG. 1B); and/or 3) duringmixing of the analog cheese slurry and the heated mass of soft orfirm/semi-hard cheese (e.g., at mixing step 170 of the method shown inFIG. 1B). For ease of reference, this latter period is referred tosimply as the “mixing stage”, although it is reiterated that theingredients added at this stage can be added to the slurry, the heatedcheese mass or the combined slurry and cheese mass. If added at a stageother than the slurry, most ingredients can generally be added as apowder or as part of a solution.

As noted above, some of the ingredients included in the slurry generallyfall into two general categories: 1) ingredients that one seeks toincorporate at relatively high concentration levels; and 2) ingredientsthat need to be heated and/or hydrated to become functionalized, i.e.,to be converted into a form that has the chemical and/or physicalproperties that are important for imparting the desired characteristicsto the final cheese product. But a variety of other ingredients can alsobe included in the slurry to control the functional and nutritionalcharacteristics of the final product.

The ability to also add ingredients at various points along the overallprocess provides an additional level of control in tailoring thecomposition of the final product. For example, the addition ofingredients during the process in which the slurry and heated cheesemass are mixed (i.e., at the mixing stage) provides an opportunity toincorporate ingredients that 1) are best added as dry ingredients, 2)cannot tolerate the high temperatures (or shearing or homogenizingconditions) to which the slurry is subjected, and/or 3) do not requirehydration to render the ingredient functional.

Ingredients that can be included in the slurry or added at other pointsalong the manufacturing process include, but are not limited to, nonfatdry milk, a milk protein, an acidity regulator, an acid, an anticakingagent, an antifoaming agent, a coloring agent, an emulsifier, an enzymepreparation, a flavoring agent, a finning agent, a food protein, agelling agent, a preservative, sequestrants, a stabilizer, a starch, athickener, an oil, a fat, a cheese powder, a salt, a nutritionalsupplement, an acid, an enzyme, a neutraceutical, a carbohydrate, avitamin, and a mineral. Examples may further include procream, wheycream, a dairy solid, and foodstuffs of vegetable, fruit and/or animalsource. The foodstuffs may include fruit, vegetables, nuts, meat, andspices, among other foodstuffs.

Additional specific information regarding the types of ingredients thatcan be incorporated to tailor the performance, nutritional and tastecharacteristics of the final soft or firm/semi-hard cheese productfollow.

Dairy Solids. A dairy solid can be added to improve variouscharacteristics of the final cheese products such as: firming thecheese, improving water binding capacity, improving the melt appearanceof the cooked cheese, and/or increasing the blistering of the cookedcheese. Dairy solids that can be utilized include, but are not limitedto, whey protein concentrate, casein hydrolyzate, milk fat, lactalbumin,cream, milk protein concentrate, milk protein isolate, lactose, casein,whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey protein, denatured whey protein,skim cheese powder, natural casein isolate and nonfat dry milk. Ingeneral, dairy solids can be incorporated into the final product fromabout 0.5-35 wt. %.

This is beneficial because it means that less expensive dairy solidslike non-fat dry milk can be substituted for some of the more expensivedairy components used to make the cheese curd without adverselyaffecting the quality of the final cheese product. It also means thatthe protein level of the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened orunripened blended cheese product can be increased without significantlyincreasing the amount of fat that is present, thereby improving thenutritional qualities of the product.

If the dairy solid is included in the slurry, the concentration of thedairy solid in the slurry is generally adjusted such that the level ofdairy solid in the final cheese product is at least about 0.5 wt. %, orabout 5-33 wt. %, or about 9-28 wt. %, or about 11-24 wt. %. This meansthat the concentration of the dairy solid in the slurry itself isgenerally within the range of about 5-35 wt. %.

Starches. Incorporating starches into the heated slurry is beneficialbecause some starches need to be heated, hydrated and/or subjected tohigh shear conditions to become functional. Such conditions arerequired, for example, for some starches to become fully hydrated. Thisin turn allows the starch to thicken or gel and to bind to proteins inthe cheese (e.g., casein). But starches can be added at other pointsalong the process (e.g., the mixing stage). If a starch is incorporatedinto the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blendedcheese product by including it in the heated slurry, starchconcentrations of up to about 0.5, 12 or 26 wt. % can be achieved in thecheese. In some instances starch is at least 0.5 wt. %. Thus, the starchconcentration can range from about 0.5-26 wt.% or from about 1-22 wt. %in the cheese. This means that the starch concentration in the slurryitself is typically about 0-35 wt. %.

A number of different types of starches can be incorporated into thefinal cheese product. Suitable starches include vegetable starches(e.g., potato starch, pea starch, and tapioca) and grain starches (e.g.,corn starch, wheat starch, and rice starch). Specific examples ofsuitable corn starches include dent corn starch, waxy corn starch, andhigh amylose corn starch. The starches can be used individually or incombination. As noted above, starches can advantageously be included inthe slurry. In some applications, the starch is added as a powder orunheated solution but, as explained above, at lower concentrationlevels.

The starch can be modified or native. Modified food starches differ intheir degree of cross-linking, type of chemical substitution, oxidationlevel, degree of molecular scission, and ratio of amylose toamylopectin. Examples of some commercially available modified foodstarches that are suitable include Mira-Cleer 516, Pencling 200, Purity660, Batterbind SC, Penbind 100, and MiraQuick MGL, Gel-N-Melt, Novation3300. A suitable commercially-available native (unmodified) starch isHylon V.

Mira-Cleer 516, from A. E. Staley Company, is a dent corn starch that iscross-linked and substituted with hydroxypropyl groups. Thecross-linking increases its gelatinization temperature and acidtolerance. The hydroxypropyl substitution increases its water bindingcapability, viscosity and freeze-thaw stability. MiraQuick MGL, alsofrom A. E. Staley Company, is an acid-thinned potato starch. The acidthinning breaks amylopectin branches in the starch, creating a firmergel. Batterbind SC, from National Starch, is a cross-linked and oxidizeddent corn starch. Purity 660, also from National Starch, is across-linked and hydroxypropyl substituted dent corn starch. Hylon V,also from National Starch, is an unmodified, high amylose corn starch.

Pencling 200, from Penwest Foods, is an oxidized potato starch. Theoxidation increases its capacity to bind water and protein. Penbind 100,also from Penwest Foods, is a cross-linked potato starch.

Emulsifiers, Gelling Agents, Stabilizers and Thickeners. Gums,celluloses and alginates are some examples of emulsifiers, gellingagents, stabilizers and thickeners. Many of the considerations thatapply to starches also apply to gums and celluloses. Certain gums,celluloses or alginates, for example, should be hydrated and/or heatedto realize their full functional characteristics. Heating and hydrationalso enables increased levels of the gums and celluloses to be includedin the final product. Some soft or firm/semi-hard blended cheeses thatare provided herein contain at least about 0.01, 0.5, 3.0 or 6.0 wt. %gum, cellulose or alginate. The products thus generally have a gum orcellulose concentration of about 0.02-5.7 wt. %, about 0.04-4.75 wt. %,or about 0.5-20 wt. %. This means that the concentration of the gum orcellulose in the slurry itself is typically about 0.02-6.0 wt. % or0.05-5.0 wt. %.

Different types of celluloses can also be incorporated into the cheese.The cellulose can be either natural or modified. One cellulose orcombinations of different celluloses can be utilized. Types ofcelluloses that can be utilized include, but are not limited to,microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, methyl cellulose,propylene glycol alginate and sodium alginate. One specific example of acommercially available modified cellulose is METHOCEL A-15™ that isavailable from Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.).

Examples of suitable gums that can be incorporated include, but are notlimited to, xanthan gum, guar gum, konjac flour and locust bean gum.Examples of suitable stabilizers include chondrus extract (carrageenan),pectin, gelatin, and agar.

The total amount of gums and stabilizers included in the final cheeseproduct is typically up to about 0.01, about 3, or about 6.0% by weight.More specifically, the amount of gums and/or stabilizers can range fromabout 0.02-5.75, from about 0.04-4.75%, or from about 0.1-3.5% by weightof the final cheese product. Gums and stabilizers concentrations in theslurry are typically in the range of about 0.02-6.0, or 0.5-5.0 wt. %.

Acidity Regulators, Anticaking Agents and Firming Agents. Acidityregulators, anticaking agents and firming agents of various types can beincluded in the soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blendedcheese. Typically, these agents are inorganic salts, but other types ofacidity regulators, anticaking agents and firming agents can also beused. Examples of suitable acidity regulators, anticaking agents andfirming agents may include calcium chloride, tricalcium phosphate, andcalcium hydroxide, powdered cellulose, disodium phosphate and potassiumhydroxide. These agents are typically added as part of a solution,either by incorporation in the slurry or as a liquid. But they can alsobe added as a powder that is incorporated, for example, into theadmixture of the slurry and heated cheese mass at the mixing stage.

The total amount of acidity regulators, anticaking agents and firmingagents incorporated into a slurry is sufficient so the concentration ofthe acidity regulators, anticaking agents and firming agents in thefinal cheese product is generally up to about 0.01, 0.5, or 3.0% byweight. More specifically, the amount of acidity regulators, anticakingagents and firming agents can range from about 0.05-3.0%, from about0.1-2.5%, or from about 0.5-2.0% by weight. This means that theconcentration of the acidity regulators, anticaking agents and firmingagents in the slurry is typically about 0.01-3.2 wt. %.

Sequestrants. A number of different sequestrants can be incorporatedinto the final cheese product. Sequestrants that can be utilizedinclude, but are not limited to, various phosphate salts (e.g., sodiumhexametaphosphate, monosodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate,disodium phosphate, and potassium phosphate), calcium citrate, trisodiumcitrate, calcium gluconate, oxystearin and sorbitol.

The total amount of sequestrant is usually up to about 0.1, 1, or 4% byweight of the final cheese product. So, for example, the amount ofsequestrant in the final cheese product can range from about 0.1 to 4%,from about 0.25 to 3.0%, or from about 0.4 to 2.5% by weight. Theconcentration of the sequestrants in the slurry itself is typicallyabout 0.1 to about 12% by weight of the slurry.

Acidic agents. An acidic agent (an acid) can be incorporated to adjustthe pH of the finished cheese to a desired level. The acidity of thecheese can be controlled to help regulate the melt down characteristicsof the finished cheese. Various acids can be employed; examples ofsuitable acids include, but are not limited to, adipic acid, lacticacid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, glucano delta lactone, phosphoricacid, lactobionic acid or Genlac C, the latter being a blend of water,citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and artificial flavors. Acid istypically added to adjust the pH of the finished cheese to a pH fromabout 5-6 is reached, and more typically from pH 5.10-5.90.

Whether the acidic agents are introduced into the final soft orfirm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese product via theslurry or during the mixing stage, the acid agent is added in an amountsuch that the pH range of the final product falls within the foregoingranges. If included in the slurry, the acid agent is included in anamount sufficient to adjust the pH of the slurry within the range ofabout 1.0-7.0.

Cheese powders. Cheese powders can also be mixed into the soft orfirm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese to impart a differentcheese flavor to the finished product. Such powders are typically addedto the heated cheese mass as a powder, rather than as part of theslurry.

Examples of suitable cheese powders include, but are not limited to,Parmesan, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Romano, muenster, Swiss, and provolonepowders. The amount of cheese powder in the finished cheese is generallyabout 0.25 to 10%, and in some instances about 0.25 to 1% by weight.Cheese powders are available from a variety of commercial suppliers,including, for example, Armour Foods of Springfield, Ky.

Colorants. A colorant can be incorporated into the soft orfirm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese to adjust its naturalcolor. This can be useful, for example, if consumers have a preferencefor a color other than the naturally-occurring color. Examples ofsuitable colorants include annatto, tumeric, titanium dioxide, andbeta-carotene. Colorants may be of both the natural or artificial color.If one wished to color the cheese a red, an artificial color such asFD&C red # 40 can be used. Annatto is useful to give mozzarella cheesethe appearance of cheddar. This allows one to produce a cheese for pizzabaking that has the desired melt characteristics of mozzarella, but witha different appearance than that of traditional white mozzarella.Annatto-colored mozzarella can be used as a replacement for cheddarcheese in many food products (e.g., Mexican-style prepared foods).Tumeric imparts a yellowish color to cheese. The yellowish color oftenis preferred by consumers who perceive it to indicate a “richer” productupon cooking on a pizza. Colorants such as annatto and tumeric can beobtained, for example, from Chris Hansens Labs of Milwaukee, Wis.

Colorants can be incorporated into the final soft or firm/semi-hardripened or unripened blended cheese product by inclusion in the slurry.If added at the mixing stage, the colorant is generally sprayed onto theheated cheese mass as an unheated solution or dispersion in water. Theamount of colorant added is typically in the range of about 0.01 to 2%,based on the weight of the finished cheese. Tumeric, if used, isgenerally added in an amount of about 0.05 to 0.5%. If annatto is added,it normally is added to about 0.1 to 0.9% by weight.

Flavoring Agents. Various flavoring agents can also be incorporated intothe cheese to tailor the flavor profile of the cheese to meet consumerpreferences. Suitable flavors for mixing into the heated cheese include,for example, cheddar cheese flavor and parmesan cheese flavor.

Flavoring agents can be incorporated into the final soft orfirm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese product byincorporation into the heated slurry or by addition to the heated cheesemass as a dry powder, or more typically as part of an unheated aqueoussolution. Flavoring agents are typically added in an amount such thatthe concentration in the final cheese product is within the range ofabout 0.01 to 5 wt. %. If incorporated into the slurry, theconcentration of the flavoring agent in the slurry is generally is inthe range of about 0.11-4.50 wt. %.

Non-dairy protein isolate. A non-dairy protein isolate can also beincorporated into the soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripenedblended cheese. It is to alter the texture of the cheese and/or tochange the size, color, or integrity of the blisters that are formedwhen the cheese is baked on a pizza, as well as other cookcharacteristics. Examples of suitable non-dairy protein isolatesinclude, but are not limited to, soy protein (sometimes called “soypowder”), gelatin, wheat germ, corn germ, gluten, and egg solids.

If incorporated into the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened orunripened blended cheese product via the slurry, the protein isolate isadded to a concentration such that the concentration of the proteinisolate in the final cheese product is up to about 5, 20 or 35 wt. %.The concentration of the protein isolate in the slurry is thus adjustedsuch that the concentration of the protein isolate is about 5-33, orabout 9.5-28.5% by weight of the final cheese product.

Salt. Salts of various types, but typically sodium chloride, can beadded to tailor the flavor of the final cheese. The salt can beincorporated into the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripenedblended cheese product by including it in the heated slurry or by addingit in granular form or as an unheated solution to the heated cheesemass. Regardless of how introduced, the salt concentration in the finalcheese product is usually added at a level of about 0.1 to 5 percent,based on the weight of the finished cheese. When added as an ingredientof the slurry, this means that the salt concentration in the slurry isgenerally about 0.1-5.0 wt. %.

Antifoaming Agents. Various antifoaming agents can be incorporated tofacilitate processing. Examples include, but are not limited to,microcrystalline wax, oxystearin and polydimethylsiloxane.

Carbohydrates. A variety of simple sugars (e.g., mono- anddisaccharides), as well as more complex carbohydrates can be included inthe cheese. Examples include, but are not limited to, glucose, sucrose,and fructose.

Enzymes. Enzymes. Enzymes may be used to create flavors, texture, melt,and/or other functional characteristics in the final cheese product,and/or in the slurry that can then be transferred to the final cheeseproduct once the slurry and cheese have been mixed together. Examples ofsuch enzymes, and this is not an all inclusive list, would be lipases,proteases, oxidoreductases, and transglutaminase.

Neutraceuticals. Neutraceuticals may be included to deliver nutrientsnot normally present in cheese. Examples of neutraceuticals include, butare not limited to lycopene, antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics,phosphatidylserine, vegetable sterols, immunoglobulins. These productsin particular may be added as part of the slurry or to the mixer.

V. Slurries

Compositions in the form of slurries that contain the basic ingredientsto make an analog cheese and one or more additional ingredients such asthose listed in the preceding section are also provided. The slurriesutilized to prepare the soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripenedblended cheeses typically are water, fat and/or oil-based compositions.For example, water in these compositions typically accounts for fromabout 25-65% of the slurry by weight. Additionally oil in these slurrycompositions may account for from about 25-65% of the slurry by weight.Because the slurry contains the basic ingredients for making an analogcheese, it typically contains water, a protein (e.g., a casein), an oilor fat, and a sequestrant. But the slurry can also include one or moreof the ingredients in the concentration ranges listed in the precedingsection, for example.

VI. Exemplary Systems for Preparing Soft or Firm/Semi-Hard Ripened orUnripened Blended Cheeses

FIG. 2A depicts one example of a generalized system that can be used tocarry out the foregoing methods to prepare the soft or firm/semi-hardripened or unripened blended cheeses that are described herein. As thisfigure illustrates, one system design 200 involves the following basicsubsystems: (1) a slurry preparation system 205, (2) a soft orfirm/semi-hard cheese preparation system 260, (3) mixer 290, (4)optional ingredient dispenser 286, and (5) a final processing system300.

In exemplary system 200, slurry preparation system 205 is used toprepare the slurry that contains the basic ingredients to formulate theanalog cheese, as well as any other optional ingredients. As the nameimplies, the soft or firm/semi-hard cheese preparation system 260 is thesystem utilized to prepare the heated mass of soft or semi-soft cheese.Systems 205, 260 are both in communication with mixer 290 via transfertubes 255 and 285, respectively. Once the analog cheese slurry andheated cheese mass have been transferred to mixer 290, these two majorcheese components are thoroughly mixed together in mixer 290 to form theadmixture.

The system shown in FIG. 2A also shows an ingredient dispenser 286 incommunication with mixer 290 via connector 287. Some systems, however,do not include this unit. The admixture formed by the mixing of theslurry, heated cheese mass and optional ingredients is then transferredto final processing system 300 via transfer tube 295. Alternatively, thetransfer tube 291 may divert the flow of the admixture between coloringunits 293 and 294. Coloring unit 293 may add coloring (e.g., orangecoloring) to the admixture to give it the appearance of, for example,cheddar cheese, while coloring unit 294 may add no color and leave thecheese substantially white in color. The entire admixture may bediverted through one or the other coloring units 293 and 294, as well asbeing adjustable to split the admixture between the coloring units tocreate, for example, a cheese combination from the admixture. In thefinal processing system 300, the admixture resulting from the mixing ofthe analog slurry, heated cheese mass and optional ingredients is shapedand cooled to form the final soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripenedblended cheese product.

A wide variety of different systems as described herein have thisgeneral design. Although specific examples of such systems are describedbelow, it should be understood that these systems are only examples andnot intended to be an exhaustive list of the types of systems that canbe used to carry out the cheese processing methods that are describedherein or of the type of systems that can be used to prepare the type ofsoft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeses that aredisclosed herein.

One exemplary system that can be used to perform the methods that aredisclosed herein is shown in FIG. 2B. In this particular system 201,slurry preparation system 205 includes a blender 210 and cooker 220 thatare connected to one another via transfer tube 215. The necessaryingredients for making the analog cheese and any other optionalingredients are introduced into blender 210, where they are blendedtogether to form an initial slurry. This resulting slurry can then betransported into cooker 220, where the slurry is heated to form a heatedslurry.

The soft or firm/semi-hard cheese preparation system 260 in thisparticular system 201 may include cooker 270 and a kneading mixer 280that are joined by transfer tube 275. Although cooker 270 and kneadingmixer 280 are shown as separate units in this particular system, theycan optionally be part of the same unit (i.e., as a mixer/cooker) inother systems.

Mixer 290 is connected to slurry preparation system 205 and soft orsemi-soft unripened or unripened cheese preparation system 260 bytransfer tubes 255 and 285, respectively. Mixer 290 is the location atwhich the slurry and heated cheese mass are mixed together to form anadmixture. Mixer 290 is connected to final processing system 300 bytransfer tube 295.

The final processing system 300 in this particular system includesextruder 305 and a separate cooling system 315 that are connected bytransfer tube 310. But in other systems, extruder 305 and cooling system315 are integrated together as part of a single system. In theparticular arrangement depicted in FIG. 2B, the admixture formed inmixer 290 is discharged to extruder 305 via transfer tube 295, whichconnects these two units. As the admixture is forced through extruder305 into a desired shape it is cooled in cooling system 315.

Another exemplary system 202 is shown in FIG. 2C. The soft orfirm/semi-hard cheese preparation system 260 in this particular systemincludes curd preparation system 266 and ingredient dispenser 262. Thisthus allows ingredients to optionally be added from dispenser 262 viatransfer tube 264 during the preparation of a soft or firm/semi-hardcheese curd. The ingredients can thus be added, for example, to thecheese curd ingredients (e.g., milk, cream and/or starter (i.e.,bacterial cultures used in curd preparation)), mixtures of suchingredients (e.g., silo—i.e., a mixture of pasteurized milk, cream andstarter), coagulum and the cheese curd itself. Incorporation can beachieved using standard mixing and grinding apparatus.

The slurry preparation unit 205 in system 202 also includes additionaloptional components to shear, homogenize and/or adjust the water contentof the slurry that is prepared. More specifically, slurry preparationsystem 205 in this system includes slurry mixing and moisture controlsubsystem 208. The particular subsystem 208 shown in FIG. 2C includesshear pump 230, homogenizer 240 and evaporator 250. Subsystem 208 is incommunication with cooker 220 and mixer 290.

In the particular subsystem shown in FIG. 2C, shear pump 230 ofsubsystem 208 is connected to cooker 220 via transfer tube 225 toestablish a link between the cooker and the subsystem. Shear pump 230 isalso connected to homogenizer 240 by transfer tube 235, with homogenizer240 in turn connected to evaporator 250 by transfer tube 245. Evaporator250 is connected to mixer 290 by transfer tub 255, thus establishing theconnection between subsystem 208 and mixer 290.

Thus, heated slurry from cooker 220 can flow into shear pump 230 viatransfer tube 225, where the slurry is subjected to the shear conditionsdescribed above. The sheared slurry can subsequently be transferred tohomogenizer 240 through transfer tube 235, where the slurry and theingredient(s) it contains are homogenized. The resulting homogenizedslurry can then flow through transfer tube 245 into evaporator 250.Evaporator 250 adjusts the moisture content within the ranges listedabove. The final slurry then flows from evaporator 250 into mixer 290via transfer tube 255.

The heated slurry from slurry preparation system 205 can then be mixedwith the heated cheese mass from preparation system 260 in mixer 290.Ingredients can optionally be introduced into mixer 290 as well fromingredient dispenser 286. The admixture formed in mixer 290 can then beprocessed (e.g., extruded and cooled) in final processing system 300.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art thatcertain units within slurry preparation system 205 (e.g., cooker 220,shear pump 230, homogenizer 240 and evaporator 250) can be arranged in avariety of other configurations. For instance, although shown asseparate units in FIG. 2C, shear pump 230 and homogenizer 240 can bepart of a single unit in other systems. Other combinations that canoptionally be utilized in still other systems are those in which cooker220 and shear pump 230 are part of the same unit, and systems in whichcooker 220, shear pump 230 and homogenizer 240 are all part of the sameintegrated unit.

The order in which cooker 220, shear pump 230 and homogenizer 240 appearin FIG. 2C can also be altered in other systems such that all thevarious permutations are possible. Examples of optional arrangementsthat can be utilized in other systems include: 1)cooker-homogenizer-shear pump, 2) shear pump-homogenizer-cooker, 3)shear pump-cooker-homogenizer, 4) homogenizer-shear pump-cooker, 5)homogenizer-cooker-shear pump, and the other various permutations.

It should also be recognized that shear pump 230, homogenizer 240 andevaporator 250 are optional components in the slurry preparation system205 (see, e.g., the system described in FIG. 2B).

Final processing system 300 in cheese preparation system 202 is asdescribed with respect to system 201 shown in FIG. 2B.

The specific design of the final processing system can vary, but caninclude a pre-brine tank that includes super cold sodium chloride brineinto which molten cheese or cheese ribbons can flow. A cutter can cutthe cheese into loaves as the cheese ribbon exits the pre-brine tank.The cooled and salted loaves are then transferred to a main brine tankwhere they stay until removed by a conveyor. An exemplary system of thisgeneral design is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,625, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Different types of blenders can be used to mix the ingredients togetherto form the initial slurry. In general, the blender simply needs to becapable of mixing relatively viscous materials. One common blender is atwin-screw mixer or extruder such as is common in the food industry.Another option involves adding the various analog cheese ingredientsalong a ribbon blender, with the ingredients becoming mixed in mixerspositioned along the ribbon. Yet another option is to simply pass theslurry along a pipeline through a series of pumps and static mixers.

The cooker used in these systems can be of various types, includinglay-down cooker, swept surface heat exchanger, pipeline cooker withcontinuous mixing. The cookers are capable of heating a slurry of thecompositions defined herein to temperatures ranging from about 90-293°F. Specific examples of suitable cookers include the RotaTherm™ cookeravailable from Gold Peg International Pty. Ltd. (Moorabbin, Vic,Australia), the FusionCooker™, available from Blentech Corporation,(Rohnert Part, Calif.), the continuous mixer from READCO Manufacturing(York, Pa.), or single or Evolum 145 twin screw extruders from ClextralInc. (Tampa, Fla.). The cookers can heat the slurry by convection (e.g.,a heated blanket surrounds the cooker) or by directly injection steaminto the cooker, or combinations of direct/indirect and mechanicalheating and or radiation heating such as microwaves.

Various types of shear pumps can be utilized. Suitable types of shearpumps include inline mixers, colloid mills. Examples of pumps that canbe used include Silverson Inline mixer (East Longmeadow, Mass.) andStephan cooker (Stephan Machinery Corp, Columbus, Ohio) or a colloidmill supplied by Waukesha Cherry Burrell (Charlotte, N.C.) The shearpump should be capable of generating shear forces of at least 10,000 s⁻¹to 500,000 s⁻¹.

A number of homogenizers are also suitable for use in the systems thatare provided. Examples of homogenizers that can be used include thosemanufactured by APV Gaulin (Kansas City, Mo.) and Waukesha CherryBurrell (Charlotte, N.C.).

Evaporators of different types can also be utilized. In general, theevaporator should be able to handle relatively viscous solution. Flashvacuum vessels are one example of a suitable evaporator. Evaporators ofthis type are available from Invensys APV (Lake Mills, Wis.) or DeDietrich Process Systems (Bridgeton, Mo.). Some systems include afeedback system that is connected to the evaporator (e.g., a nearinfrared monitor). This system may include a sensor that can monitor themoisture level in the slurry coming from the evaporator and send asignal to the evaporator signaling the evaporator to increase, decreaseor maintain the level at which water is removed from the slurry so thedesired moisture content in the slurry is achieved.

A number of different kneading mixers can be used to heat and knead thecheese curd into the heated cheese mass. One exemplary device forperforming this operation is a single or twin-screw mixer or atwin-screw extruder, either fitted for steam injection or having aheated jacket, or a combination of both. When using a twin-screw mixeror extruder to perform the heating and kneading, the screws (i.e.,augers) are typically arranged so they overlap, to insure thoroughmixing.

VII. Soft or Firm/Semi-Hard Ripened or Unripened Blended Cheeses

As noted above, some of the methods that are disclosed herein can beutilized to manufacture analog/soft or firm/semi-hard cheese blends thatcontain ingredients that previously have not been included in cheeseproducts manufactured using conventional methods because the ingredientsrequire heating and/or hydration to become functionalized (activated).Soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeses containingrelatively high concentrations of certain ingredients can also beprepared using methods disclosed herein as compared to other processingtechniques. So, for instance, some of the cheeses that are provided haveone, two, three or more of the following characteristics. Some of thesoft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeses have one ormore ingredients such as starch, a dairy solid, gum, a stabilizer, andcellulose.

The soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeses that areprovided typically have a protein content of about 5-40 wt. %, amoisture content of about 35-65%, and a fat content of about 0-60% on adry basis (FDB). The actual composition varies somewhat depending uponthe particular type of soft or firm/semi-hard blended cheese that is tobe produced.

The cheeses that are provided can be in a variety of different formsincluding loaves, Ribbons™, comminuted forms (e.g., diced or shreddedforms) and other forms known in the art. The pH of the cheese generallyranges from about 5.00 to about 6.00, such as about 5.10 to about 5.90.

VIII. Food Products and Methods of Manufacturing Such Food Stuffs

The analog/soft or semi-soft cheese blends that are provided can beutilized in essentially baking application that involves the use ofcheese and can be incorporated into a wide variety of food products. Theblended cheesesoft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blendedcheeses, for instance, can be included as an ingredient in a variety ofconvenience foods, including entrees, snack foods and appetizers.

The term “food product” is intended to broadly encompass any type offood to which one can add cheese. Examples of suitable types of foodsinto which the provided cheeses can be added, include, but are notlimited to: cereal-based products; poultry, beef, pork or seafood-basedentrees; potatoes; vegetables; fruit; candy; and nuts. The cereal-basedproducts can be of diverse types including, for instance, pizzas,burritos, dough-enrobed sandwiches, hand-held foods, breads, bagels,pastries, and grain-based snack foods (e.g., crackers and pretzels). Thecheese can be included with a variety of different forms of potatoes,including, chips, French fries, hash browns, and strings. Likewise,vegetables of various types can be combined with the cheeses that areprovided. Exemplary vegetables include, mushrooms, zucchini, peppers(e.g., jalapenos) and cauliflower.

The soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheeses can beincorporated into the food product, layered onto or in the food productor used as a coating. One common use, for example, is as an exposedcheese on a pizza or as the string cheese rolled in the outer lip of apizza crust (a so-called “stuffed crust pizza”).

As those skilled in the art will recognize, the foregoing list is simplyillustrative and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the typesof foods that can be combined with the soft or firm/semi-hard ripened orunripened blended cheeses that are provided herein.

The cheeses that are provided are suitable for use in essentially anytype of cooking including convection heating, steam injection heatingand microwave heating, for example. In some microwave heatingapplications, for example, the food product is exposed to microwaveenergy in an amount and for a duration sufficient to heat and melt thecheese, whereby the cheese melts to form a uniform mass of cheese. Thecheeses can generally be heated in a variety of microwaves, such asmicrowaves having wattages of 400-1000 watts, or full power microwaveovens of 650-850 watts that are common home microwave ovens. The cheesescan be cooked over a range of cooking times such as from 0.5 to 20minutes, or 0.5-10 minutes, or 2-5 minutes, which are the typicalmicrowave cook times used to prepare frozen or refrigerated entrees andappetizers.

The cheese blends that are disclosed herein can be combined with foodproduct such as those just listed using any of a variety of methods. Forexample, the food product can be dipped in melted cheese. Alternatively,the soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese can besprinkled or layered onto the food product using conventional foodprocessing equipment. In such processes, the soft or firm/semi-hardripened or unripened blended cheese is typically first comminuted toform relatively small pieces of cheese or shredded cheese. Once the softor firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese has been combinedwith the food product, the resulting food product can optionally berefrigerated or frozen for future sale or use.

EXAMPLES

Blended cheese was made in three different ways. In the first method,(Example A), a traditional imitation cheese blend, composed of 50%imitation and 50% Mozzarella, was made by combining cheese curd,caseins, imitation fat and emulsifying salts heated to greater than 150°F. (65.6° C.). The resultant product had composition targets of 50.50%moisture, 47 FDB, 5.70 pH, and 1.60% salt. This product served as acontrol. In the second method, (Example B) a novel imitation cheeseblend, composed of 50% imitation and 50% mozzarella, was made byseparately manufacturing Mozzarella and heating to less than 150° F.(65.6° C.), separately manufacturing imitation cheese by combiningcaseins, imitation fat and emulsifying salts and heating to greater than150° F. (65.6° C.), and combining the two separate components at lessthan 150° F. (65.6° C.). The resultant product had final componenttargets of 50.5% moisture, 47 FDB, 5.70 pH and 1.60% salt. In thirdmethod, (Example C) 50% of milk fat in real mozzarella cheese wasreplaced by vegetable oil. The vegetable fat was mixed with water,nonfat milk powder and emulsifying salts separately and heated togreater than 150° F. (65.6° C.), and added to mozzarella cheese madeseparately by heating to less than 150° F. (65.6° C.) in such a ratio sothat the final product had 50% vegetable oil and 50% milk fat. Thetarget composition for the final product was also 50.5% moisture, 47FDB, 5.70 pH, and 1.60% salt. Table 1 describes the compositions of the50/50 imitation/mozzarella cheese blend (Examples B), and the blendedcheese with 50% butterfat replaced by vegetable oil (Example C). Thegluconic acid is added to the slurry as a processing aid to cause areduction in slurry viscosity before cooking, making the slurry easierto pump through the cooker and other system equipment.

TABLE 1 Blended Cheese or Blended Slurry Composition % % Sodium % % %Tri- Tri- Palm Alum. Rennet % Acid Sodium % % Tricalcium % % sodium %sodium Treatment Oil Phos. Casein Casein Casein Water NDM Phosphate GdLStarch Citrate Salt Phos. Example b. 24.60 0.82 11.82 7.75 7.09 40.81 00 0 4.50 0.20 2.20 0.20 Cheese blend composed of 50% imitation and 50%Mozzarella Example c. 35.0 0 0 0 0 32.78 22.2 0.25 1.22 5.5 0 0 0Blended Cheese with 50% butterfat replaced by vegetable oil

All three-cheese samples were stored at 35° F. (1.7° C.) for 14 days andthen shredded on an Urchell CC shredder (Urchell Laboratories, Inc.,Indiana, USA) (1¼″ to 3″×0.20″×0.095″), frozen individually and storedin the cooler at −20° F. Two-pound samples of cheese were removed andstored in the cooler at 35° F. (1.7° C.) and melted on two differenttypes of pizza. The cheese was melted on a conveyor-bake pizza (MiddlebyMarshall oven at 420° F. (215.6° C.) for 6 min 30 sec) composed of 7-ozof cheese on a regular pizza crust together with 4-oz of pizza sauce.The cheese was also melted on a frozen pizza composed of 5.6-oz offrozen cheese placed on a ready-made crust and 3-oz of sauce and frozenfor future melts. When ready to evaluate, the pizza was cooked in a homeoven at 425° F. for 19 min.

The shred cut qualities and melt grades of the cheeses produced in theexamples were then measured. The melt grade measurements of the cheeseson the service oven pizzas and cooked frozen pizzas included comparisonsof the blister color, blister %, blister size, melt, stretch, andoiling-off. The melt grade measurements were made with a 20-point scale,with 10 being the best grade, while 1 is too little, and 20 is too much.Table 2 summarizes the melt grade grading system:

TABLE 2 Melt Grade Grading System NONE SLIGHT MODERATE DEFINITEPRONOUNCED Score 1 to 4 5 to 8 8 to 12 12 to 16 16 to 20 Blister % 0-10%10-25% 25-50% 50-75% >75% Blister Size ⅛ to ¼′ ⅜ to ½′ ⅝ to ¾′ ⅞ to1′ >1′ Blister Color Light Golden Golden to Light Golden Brown DarkBrown Black Oiling Off None Even sheen over cheese Some minor areasNoticeable collection areas Entire surface heavily surface with slightcoated with oil pooling Meltdown Cheese does not fuse Appears fusedtogether Cheese Cheese is slightly soupy Cheese is very runny, togetherafter cooking but shows minor jigsaw completely fused and sauce appearsto bleed soupy and appears weak appearance together through in bodyStretch 0 to 1′ 1½ to 3′ 3 to 5′ 5 to 7′ >7′

The shred quality measurements of the cheeses included comparisons ofshred quality and shred compaction. These measurements were made on a4-point scale with 1 being the best, and 4 being the least acceptable.Table 3 summarizes the results of the melt grade and shred qualitymeasurements for Examples A-C:

TABLE 3 Shred Quality and Melt Grades Food Service Pizza Cut QualityBlister Blister Blister Oiling Frozen Pizza Shred % Size Color Off MeltStretch Blistering Melt Stretch Compaction Quality Example a. 9 5 8 7 163 6 14 4 2.5 4.0 Traditional Imitation cheese blend (control) Example b.14 7 10 3 11 8 5 8 8 1.5 1.5 Novel imitation cheese blend composed of50% imitation and 50% Mozzarella Example c. 8 3 14 1 10 10 12 9 7 2.02.0 BlendedCheese with 50% butterfat replaced by vegetable oil

Table 3 shows that cheese made in Examples B and C are superior infunctionality on both types of pizzas as compared to control imitationcheese blend (Example A). The trial cheese, when melted on a pizza, haddesirable melt and significantly better stretch than the controlimitation cheese blend. On a pizza, the control imitation cheese blendwas over-melted, thin and soupy, and had very short and weak stretch.Shredded trial samples (Examples B and C) were also significantlysuperior to the traditional imitation cheese blend (Example A). Thesetest cheese blends have superior intact shred quality, very little finesand excellent handling qualities. The control sample was also verysticky and compacted easily. This is very important for pizzerias thatbuy shredded cheese and use cups to dispense the required amount oncheese on a particular pizza. A cheese with significant fines and severecompaction defects, such as Example A, would result in poor portioncontrol and poor cheese distribution on a pizza.

FIGS. 3A-C show examples of shredded cheeses. Shredded trial samples(FIGS. 3B and 3C) were significantly superior to the traditionalimitation cheese blend (FIG. 3A). These test cheese blends have superiorintact shred quality, very little fines, and excellent handlingqualities. The control sample was also very sticky and compacted easily.This is a sought after quality for shredded cheese used by pizzeriasthat use cups to dispense a predetermined amount of cheese on aparticular pizza. A cheese with significant fines and severe compactiondefects, such as the shredded cheese shown in FIG. 3A, would result npoor portion control and poor cheese distribution on a pizza.

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein arefor illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changesin light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and areto be included within the spirit and purview of this application andscope of the appended claims. The cheeses of the present invention maybe made by the methods described herein, or by any other method thatproduces a finished cheese product having the same physical or chemicalproperties as the present cheeses. All publications, patents and patentapplications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individualpublication, patent or patent application were specifically andindividually indicated to be so incorporated by reference.

1. A method for preparing a cheese, comprising: (a) providing a slurrythat comprises a plurality of analog cheese ingredients; (b) separatelypreparing a heated cheese mass; (c) mixing the slurry with the cheesemass to form an admixture; and (d) shaping and cooling the admixture toform the cheese.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofanalog cheese ingredients are selected from the group consisting ofwater, a fat, a casein, a sequestrant, a starch, a salt, an acid, aflavoring agent and a vegetable oil.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinthe plurality of analog cheese ingredients are water, casein, avegetable oil and a sequestrant.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising heating the slurry.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising processing the slurry by performing one or more processesselected from the group consisting of subjecting the slurry to highshear conditions, homogenizing the slurry and adjusting the watercontent of the slurry before the slurry is mixed with the heated cheesemass.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein processing comprises subjectingthe slurry to high shear conditions, homogenizing the slurry andadjusting the water content of the slurry to 35-65 wt. % before mixingthe slurry and the heated cheese mass.
 7. The method of claim 5, whereinprocessing comprises subjecting the slurry to high shear conditions,homogenizing the slurry and adjusting the water content of the slurry to25-65 wt. % before mixing the slurry and the heated cheese mass.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the slurry further comprises one or moreadditional ingredients selected from the group consisting of a nonfatdry milk, a milk protein, an acidity regulator, an acid, an anticakingagent, an antifoaming agent, a coloring agent, an emulsifier, an enzymepreparation, a flavoring agent, a firming agent, a food protein, agelling agent, a preservative, sequestrants, a stabilizer, a starch, athickener, an oil, a fat, a cheese powder, a salt, a nutritionalsupplement, an acid, an enzyme, a neutraceutical, a carbohydrate, avitamin, and a mineral.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the slurryfurther comprises one or more additional ingredients selected from thegroup consisting of procream, whey cream, a dairy sold, a foodstuff,vegetable oil, and a food product.
 10. The method of claim 4, whereinthe slurry is heated to about 90° F. to about 293° F.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the slurry is heated by injecting steam directly intothe slurry.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the slurry is heated byan indirect heat source.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprisingadding one or more dry ingredients to the slurry, the cheese mass, orthe admixture, whereby the admixture comprises the slurry, the cheesemass and the one or more dry ingredients.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein during mixing the slurry and heated soft or firm/semi-hardcheese mass are combined in a ratio of about 95:5 to about 5:95.
 15. Amethod for making a soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blendedcheese, comprising: (a) adding a dry salt to a heated and homogenousmass of soft or firm/semi-hard cheese; (b) combining a heated analogcheese slurry with the heated soft or firm/semi-hard cheese mass to forman admixture, wherein the slurry comprises a protein source, an oil orfat, water, and a sequestrant; and (c) shaping and cooling the admixtureto form the soft or firm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the heated slurry further comprisesone or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of a nonfatdry milk, a milk protein, an acidity regulator, an acid, an anticakingagent, an antifoaming agent, a coloring agent, an emulsifier, an enzymepreparation, a flavoring agent, a firming agent, a food protein, agelling agent, a preservative, sequestrants, a stabilizer, a starch, agum, a cellulose, a thickener, an oil, a fat, a cheese powder, a salt, anutritional supplement, an acid, an enzyme, a neutraceutical, acarbohydrate, a vitamin, and a mineral.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein the heated slurry further comprises one or more ingredientsselected from the group consisting of procream, whey cream, a dairysolid, vegetable oil, a foodstuff, and a food product.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the concentration of the starch, the dairy solid, thegum and the cellulose in the slurry is sufficient such that the soft orfirm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese that is produced hasone or more of the following characteristics (i) a starch concentrationof at least 0.5 wt %, (ii) a dairy solid concentration of at least 0.5wt %, or (iii) an oil concentration of at least 5-35 wt. %.
 19. A methodfor preparing a heated slurry for use in the preparation of a soft orfirm/semi-hard ripened or unripened blended cheese, the methodcomprising: a) blending a plurality of analog cheese ingredientstogether to form a slurry, the plurality of analog cheese ingredients,comprising an oil or fat that is liquid at room temperature; b) heatingthe slurry to a temperature of about 90° F. to about 293° F.; and c)processing the slurry by performing one or more processes selected fromthe group consisting of subjecting the slurry to high shear conditions,homogenizing the slurry and adjusting the water content of the slurry toabout 35-65 wt. %.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein blendingcomprises blending one or more additional ingredients with the analogcheese ingredients, the additional ingredients selected from the groupconsisting of a nonfat dry milk, a milk protein, an acidity regulator,an acid, an anticaking agent, an antifoaming agent, a coloring agent, anemulsifier, an enzyme preparation, a flavoring agent, a firming agent, afood protein, a gelling agent, a preservative, sequestrants, astabilizer, a starch, a thickener, an oil, a fat, a cheese powder, asalt, a nutritional supplement, an acid, an enzyme, a neutraceutical, acarbohydrate, a vitamin, and a mineral.
 21. The method of claim 19,wherein the heated slurry further comprises one or more ingredientsselected from the group consisting of procream, whey cream, a dairysolid, vegetable oil, a foodstuff, and a food product.
 22. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the cheese has a starch concentration of about 0.5-26wt %, and wherein the starch is added to the cheese by both a slurry,and as a dry powder.
 23. The method of claim 15, wherein the methodfurther comprises adding a dry powder ingredient to the homogenous massof soft or firm/semi-hard cheese before combining the cheese with theslurry.